Flame-retardant resin composition, molded article, and toilet seat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resin compositions used in molding materials like polyolefin lack sufficient light resistance and flame retardancy, especially when treated with UV light for antibacterial and bactericidal purposes.

Innovation Solution

A flame-retardant resin composition combining polypropylene with specific components such as brominated flame-retardants, pigments, flame-retardant synergists, hindered amine light stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbers, and water repellents, optimized to provide both flame retardancy and light resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional resin compositions are used to achieve flame retardancy, then flame retardancy is improved, but light resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidlight resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite resin composition combining polypropylene with specific flame retardants ( brominated flame retardant and aluminum hydroxide), pigments, and light stabilizers (hindered amine light stabilizer and ultraviolet absorber). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of flame retardancy through the flame retardant system and light resistance through the stabilizer system, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of various components: flame retardant (3-20 parts by mass), pigment (1-10 parts by mass), hindered amine light stabilizer (0.1-5 parts by mass), and ultraviolet absorber (0.1-5 parts by mass). By carefully controlling these parameter ranges, the composition achieves both sufficient flame retardancy and improved light resistance, resolving the contradiction through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If UV light treatment is applied for antibacterial purposes, then antibacterial effect is improved, but resin deterioration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial effectVSAvoidresin deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates hindered amine light stabilizers and ultraviolet absorbers into the resin composition before UV treatment. These stabilizers act as a protective buffer that absorbs and dissipates UV energy before it can cause resin deterioration, while still allowing the antibacterial effect to occur. This beforehand cushioning resolves the contradiction by protecting the resin during UV treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The light stabilizers (hindered amine light stabilizer and ultraviolet absorber) serve as intermediary substances that mediate between the UV light and the resin matrix. They intercept UV radiation and convert it to harmless forms of energy, preventing direct interaction between UV light and the resin that would cause deterioration, while permitting the antibacterial mechanism to function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If flame retardants are added to polyolefin, then flame retardancy is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite flame retardant system combining brominated flame retardant with aluminum hydroxide in specific ratios (3-20 parts by mass of flame retardant per 100 parts by mass of polypropylene). This composite approach provides synergistic flame retardancy while the balanced formulation maintains mechanical properties better than using single flame retardant systems alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration of flame retardants to 3-20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of polypropylene, which is a carefully controlled parameter range. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient flame retardancy is achieved while minimizing the negative impact on mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction through precise parameter control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition forms a molded body with enhanced flame retardancy, light resistance, water repellency, and a balance of rigidity and impact resistance, suitable for applications like toilet seats.

Implementation Method 1

the resin deteriorates when treated with UV light... (E1) a hindered amine light stabilizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the content of (E2) an ultraviolet absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a brominated flame-retardant having an isocyanurate structure... sufficient flame retardancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame inhibition: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20220251356A1Flame-retardant resin composition, molded article, and toilet seat
Publication Date: 2022.08.11 IDEMITSU FINE COMPOSITES CO LTD

AI summary

A flame-retardant resin composition, comprising the following components (A) to (D), wherein the content of the component (B) is 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), the content of the component (C) is 1.5 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), and the content of the component (D) is 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A): (A) polypropylene (B) a brominated flame-retardant having isocyanurate structure (C) a pigment (D) a flame-retardant synergist